Newsletter

16 Savannah men indicted on federal drug charge

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 23 defendants, including several Savannah residents, with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.

One of the defendants is also charged with the unlawful possession of 23 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute it.

Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, Beaufort County, S.C., Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and others conducted the joint investigation.

The investigation culminated in arrests and search warrants being executed on Nov. 29 in Pooler, Garden City, Savannah, Atlanta and Brunswick.

Search warrants were also executed in South Carolina.

During the investigation, agents seized kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $2.7 million. Agents seized pounds of marijuana, with a street value of almost $50,000, more than $300,000 in cash, and numerous automobiles.

The defendants face a possible life sentence if convicted of the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. and Karl I. Knoche are prosecuting the case for the United States.

One seriously injured in Garden City shooting

A shooting late Thursday night in Garden City left a man in serious condition.

Garden City Police Chief David Lyons said investigators do not know what led to the shooting that occurred about 11:30 p.m. in the 4100 block of 3rd Street.

Detectives have determined that several shots from multiple weapons were fired.

At least one group of people attempted to flee the scene in a car — later determined to be stolen — before crashing. Lyons said the unknown number of suspects escaped either on foot or via another vehicle.

The man who was shot, Lyons said, did not live in the area where the incident occurred. On Friday evening, he remained in serious condition at a local hospital.

Lyons asked anyone with information about the shooting to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) and in the body type “CStop2020” plus the tip.

Police officers who frequently come into contact with children keep the bears with them to help comfort the kids during stressful situations in which they’re often overlooked, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.

Kay Jewelers customers purchased the bears as part of a fundraiser over the Christmas holidays. They’ve been doing so for seven years and have contributed about $14 million from the proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., Miller said.

This was the third year the store donated the bears to Savannah-Chatham police.